A California federal judge issued an injunction on Tuesday preventing the Trump administration from detaining individuals at immigration court locations nationwide. Following Donald Trump’s return to office, Department of Homeland Security agents began patrolling outside courts to apprehend migrants immediately after their asylum proceedings concluded.
Because failing to appear for court dates is considered a crime that can trigger deportation, migrants were often forced into a difficult position where attending their hearings exposed them to immediate arrest. US District Judge P. Casey Pitts determined the policy breached the Administrative Procedure Act, labeling the enforcement strategy as arbitrary.
Judge Pitts further stated that the agencies involved, specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, did not offer valid justifications for the practice and noted that the presence of officers created an intimidating atmosphere. Conversely, James Percival of the Department of Homeland Security labeled the decision as judicial activism, arguing that individuals already issued deportation orders should be handled like convicted criminals.
